Cochrane Minor Ball Association is putting a call out to community members who have a passion for baseball.

Elliot Searle, Board Member and Equipment Manager, states they are becoming desperate for more individuals to step up and help coach Cochrane's up and coming baseball/softball players. With registration closing on March 1, the organization realizes they are in a coaching crunch. "We are recognizing now that there seems to be a coaching crisis with all levels but particularly with some of our older boys ages 11-17."

Although Cochrane Minor Ball has managed to find enough coaches in the past, increasing ball players and an age shift in Little League has attributed to the problem. "There is a glut of players now, of boys in particular in that 14-year-old range, and no one to coach them."

It has a been a year over year growing issue, notes Searle, who says the level of growth has been phenomenal. "Our growth is enormous which is great because it's great to see kids out playing baseball and softball. We have always relied on parents to step up and that is always difficult, whether they are nervous or something else, it is becoming increasingly difficult to get parents to step up."

Running the risk of having to turn kids away, Searle. has decided to be proactive by reaching out to the community at large. "There are people in the community that have played baseball at a high level, even though it is not required. We are just looking for people with passion, experience and a willingness to help out our kids."

While there is a level of time commitment involved, coaching has many great benefits. "It is such rewarding work. It is daunting for a lot of people but it is so rewarding to give back to the community, see kids develop and is such a healthy activity. It is a lot of fun."

Searle also shares coaches will be well supported. "We'll do coaching clinics and whatever is required. We'll offer all the supports someone would need, everyone, is new at some point to the coaching world including myself who jumped in with both feet."

So far Cochrane Minor Ball has taken a soft approach to enforcing the voluntary fee rule requiring parents to either pay monetarily or volunteer in some capacity but with the shortage of people stepping up, that may have to change. "If somebody didn't volunteer we didn't follow through on our word of depositing that cheque but we have talked about strictly enforcing that now and not taking a soft approach anymore."

If you are interested in stepping up and becoming a coach you will need an up to date criminal record check which the association will gladly cover. Interested applicants can reach out to Kayley McLennan, Administration and Operations Coordinator, at admin@cochraneminorball.ca